Roger Leo Lavoie

Roger Leo Lavoie, 77, passed away peacefully on Monday night March 20, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Roger was born February 6, 1940 to Leo and Jeannette Lavoie of Lawrence, Massachusetts. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, June C. Lavoie (DiTommaso); children, Nanine Cvengros and her husband Steve, Kristen Lavoie, Daniel Lavoie and his wife Emma; grandchildren Madison Cvengros, and Luca and Nina Lavoie. Roger is also survived by his sister Janet and husband David Solomon and several nieces and nephews.

Roger grew up in Massachusetts, where he attended grammar school in Methuen, and graduated from Central Catholic High School in Lawrence in 1957. He attended college for two years before he enlisted in the Air Force in September 1959. He was initially stationed at Otis Air Force Base in Cape Cod, and trained as a weather observer. In December 1961 Roger met the love of his life, June through mutual friends at a gathering in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. In March 1962 the Air Force reassigned him to Saigon, Vietnam, and in March 1963 he returned home to June.

In September 1963 he started working for Lorillard Tobacco as a sales representative, and also became a night student of Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. Roger and June married on October 12, 1964 and settled in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Roger was honorably discharged from the Air Force in September 1965 after his 2-year reservist obligation. He and June had three children by the time Roger graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in May 1974 from Merrimack. Promotions took Roger and his family to opportunities in Minnesota, New Jersey and Michigan where they finally settled in Livonia in March 1977. After 32 years, and working up to Lorillard’s Regional Sales Manager, he entered retirement at age 56 in May 1996.

Roger was an active member, along with his wife, of St.Colette Catholic Church in Livonia. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed working in his yard, especially on his lawn, with June. Roger was a kind, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was a loyal and respected friend to many, and will forever be known by everyone as a patient, generous and humorous person. The lives he touched are innumerable and he will be missed by those who had the privilege to know him.

Roger’s family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, March 31, 2017 from 3-8 pm at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Rd. (east of Newburgh and I-275) in Livonia. Sharing of Memories will take place at 7 pm on Friday. His Funeral Mass will be held at St. Colette Catholic Church, 17600 Newburgh Rd. (north of Six Mile Rd) in Livonia on Saturday April 1, 2017, where he will lie in state from 9-10 am with a Funeral Mass to follow at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are appreciated to:

Angela Hospice

Development Office

14100 Newburgh Rd

Livonia, MI 48154

www.angelahospice.org/donate